Three-dimensional Li2O-NiO-CoO composite thin-film electrodes deposited on stainless steel substrates were synthesized by the electrostatic spray deposition (ESD) technique at 240 and 295 degrees C. The morphology of the composite was investigated by scanning electron microscopy. X-ray diffraction indicated that the as deposited films are composites of Li2O, NiO and CoO. The effects of the solvent used to dissolve the starting materials on the morphology and electrochemical performance of the thin-film electrodes were also investigated. It was found that the as-deposited thin-film electrodes exhibited a high reversible capacity (> 800 mAh g(-1) when cycled between 0.01 and 3 V at a cycling rate of 0.5 C), good capacity retention, and outstanding rate capability. The superior electrochemical performance may have resulted from the combination of the very porous structure and the three-dimensional network of the as-deposited thin-film electrodes, which contributed to a high surface area, favoured lithium-ion diffusion, and formed a stable integral structure. The thin-film electrodes could be promising anodes for use in high power and high energy density lithium-ion batteries. (c) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.